New singer, new label, new logo, new sound? Some might have high hopes now, but I am glad to say that I can answer the last question about the sound with a clear and loud no! STEEL ATTACK still stand for fresh Power Metal of the Swedish school, not really original, but still damn good!

So everybody, who "loves" fantasy stories (or lyrics like "Heavy Metal God" ;), big melodies, some keyboards and stuff, like *cough* Wes *cough*, but is afraid to admit it, this is an album that will give you more problems hiding it, trust me. New singer Dick has a higher voice than his predecessor, but still possesses more power than most others in a comparable pitch, fitting the music of these Swedes very well indeed.

I know that Power Metal still is in overkill and clone mode, but if a band manages to release three albums already, it shows that there (normally) has to be something to them and STEEL ATTACK, in my opinion, are definitely one of the better members of the Power Metal scene. Why? They have the ability to write songs that are gripping, heavy, but still very melodic, without getting too sappy or happy or sounding all too much like the big role models of the genre.

The opening title track opens with a nice double bass racket that hits you square across the cranium, with the soaring vocals by Dick, kicking off an album that more or less can be split in a double bass driven and a rather mid tempoed half, everything sounding fresh and energetic, with nice choirs, which are not overdone and drowning in pomp (even though I like that, too…), very good guitar work by John and Dennis and all.

Take "Predator Of The Empire", "Heavy Metal God", "Arise" and "Nightmare" as my personal recommendations and even though some people complain about us giving rather high ratings (we just try to spread albums out to people, who like the style for the fairest possible review), albums like "Predator Of The Empire" just have to be rated like that, because they're just damn good! Plain and simple! (Online May 15, 2003)